Device for supporting concrete steel reenforcing bars



C. E. BOWERS Nov. 12,v 1929.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING CONCRETE STEEL REENFORCING BARS Filed Aug. 25, 1927 Xlllilllllilil 'MHLFFF- f il Il LI l u. .L .L L L ullllllnlllu uuuuunu Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAUDE E. BOWERS, OF LOS ANGELESKyCALIFORNIA Application led August 25, 1927. 'SerialNd 215,432.

This invention pertains more specifically to a device for supporting in steel reenforcing bars in position in the formation of concrete road-ways and the like.

In the formation of concrete road-ways reenforcing steel bars are employed to strengthen the same and prevent fractures, and as such bars must necessarily be placed in supported position prior to pouring the concrete, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple bar supporting member that may be conveniently placed in position along a road-way which will rigidly support in position a plurality of reenforcing bars during the concrete pouring operation.

A further object is to provide a reenforcing bar supporting device that may be accurately placed in position in a road-way foundation without the necessity of employing measuring devices. y

A still further object is to provide a device that may readily be die-stamped from sheet metal, and which will maintain the ment during a concrete pouring operation.

The above and other objects are accomplished by means of the device described herein and ings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prepared roadway foundation showing the reenforcing bars in supported position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a road-way foundation showing a number of devices in position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail showing one ofthe bar supporting devices embedded in the finished concrete road-way.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the bar supporting device as shown in Fig. 3, before the concrete is poured.

In the construction of concrete roads the proposed road-way 5 is first excavated to the required depth, usually about nine (9) inches and of the required width; in California such roads are about twenty (20) feet wide divided by a longitudinally extending score line 6 into two parallel sections 7, 8, each section being transversely divided into sections 9.

rdie stamped or reenforcing bars against accidental dislodgey., y

.member 16 area plurality of ledges or rod 'seats 19, 20 and 21 for holding and supporting the reenforcing bars 15 in position withillustrated in accompanying drawy Suitable' planking 10 is erected along the outer longitudinal edges of the road-way, a centrally `disposed planking 11 between the sections 7, 8, and cross planks 12 between the sections 9 of about one-half the width of l the plankings 10. In order to strengthen the rconcrete sect-ions, and to prevent the formations of cracks therein it has been the practice to employ steel reenforcing bars 15 in the road sections. These bars must be supported in foundation before pouring the concrete, and to this end I have provided a simple die rstamped metal bar supporting device that will effectually maintain the reenforcing bars y 1n position and against dislodgement during kthe concrete pouring operation.

The bar supporting device 15 is here shown as consisting of a single piece of sheet metal formed into the required shape,y preferably consisting of a prong shaped member 16 of generally channel form in cross section having a square upper end and a pointed ground penetrating end 17. Formed on one of the vertical anges 18 of in the road-way foundation. Each of the ledges have at their outer ends upwardly extending ,arms or lugs 22 for preventing accidental dislodgment of the reenforcing bars when placed thereon.

planes parallel to the road-way f The lower end of the ledge 21 is provided i with aright angled portion 23 that serves to "act as stop to limit the downward movement of the devicey when driven into position.

vIn order to space the devices the required distance from the road-way plankings, the

ycentralbar supporting ledge 2O has an arm 24 pivotally secured thereto, the free end of the arm being bent at right angles to form an attaching lug 25 provided with a nail hole. This arm serves not only as a means for bracing and attaching the device to the inner surfaces of the plankings, but serves also as a gage for spacing the supporting devices a predetermined distance from the planking, see Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In using the bar supporting devices in road building about eight are required for the sides of each section, and four at each end, but this number may be varied according to the weight of the reenforcing bars employed. Usually only a pair of reenforcing bars are used for each slab section in road-ways of normal depth, but should the depth be increased the ledge 20 can be used.

The concrete surface is scored transversely as at 26 directly above the cross plankings in order to form weakening planes, the concrete breaking at such points instead cracking intermediate the ends of the slab sections.

F rom the above description it will be apparent that I have provided a simple bar supporting device that is of inexpensive manufacture, and one that may be quickly placed in position along the road-way without the necessity ot employing measuring devices oi any character.

lWhat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described an earth penetrating prong of generally channel form in cross section having a plurality of horizontally disposed rod seats formed 0n one of its side anges die stamped from a single sheet ofmetal, the prong having a pointed lower end, means formed on the lowermost rod seat to limit ground penetration, and a pivoted bar or arm secured to said prong, one end adapted to be attached to an object to stabilize said prong when in position.

2. In a device of the class described an earth penetrating prong otgenerally channel form in cross section having a plurality of horizontally disposed rod seats formed on one of its side flanges die stamped from a single sheet of metal, the prong having a pointed lower end, the metal of the lowerinost rod seat being bent at right angles thereto to form a stop to limit the earth penetration of the prong, and a pivoted bar or arm secured to said prong, one end adapted to be attached to an object to stabilize said prong when in position.

3. In a device ofV the class described an' earth penetrating prong having a. plurality of horizontally disposed rod seats formed on one ot its side edges, means formed on the lowermost rod seat to limit ground penetraticn of said prong, and a pivoted bar or arm secured to said prong, one end adapted t0 be attached to an object to stabilize said prong when in position.

In testimonyV whereof I afiix my signature.

CLAUDE E. BOWERS. y 

